Philippians 2:3-4

(4 min)

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Selfish ambition vs. the mind of Christ 🧠

Historical Context 🤓

• Philippians is a letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi (in current-day Greece)
• This was the first Christian church in Europe, planted by Paul around AD 50 (less than 20 years after Jesus' death and resurrection)
• Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison about 10 years after planting the church

Paul’s Purposes ✍️

There were 2 primary purposes of Paul’s letter:

1. To thank the church for providing for him while he was in prison (they didn’t have government-funded food and supplies for prisoners)
2. To encourage the people in the Philippian church to imitate Jesus’ mindset and pattern of behavior - sacrificial love:
   • for the sake of unity within the church, and 
   • to be a light to the surrounding world

Selfish Ambition 🙅

In our Bibles, Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” (emphasis added)

The original grammar here in the Greek indicates an even stronger idea:

Don’t even think any thoughts motivated by selfish ambition.

Paul isn’t talking about external behavior modification. He’s not saying to ‘try harder to do nice things’ or ‘be a better person.’

He’s talking about the mind and the deep motivational structures of the heart.

Simple, but not easy. 💪❓

If you’ve ever tried to just ‘be a better person’ through your own willpower, you know how futile it is.

It requires a power that we don’t have.

Which leaves us with the questions: 

• Where do we get the power to make this change?
• In other words, how do we reprogram our default instinct to be sacrificial love instead of selfish ambition?

Paul’s Answer: The Humility of Jesus ✝️

In essence, one of Paul’s messages in Philippians is this:

📣 Look at and meditate on what Jesus did. 📣 

(What did Jesus do?)

Paul tells us in the next few verses:

Philippians 2:6-8

Jesus - the King of the Universe with infinite power - emptied Himself of that power.

Became human. Washed feet. Died on a cross.

All of that? Compelled by his love for you.

This is the Way of Jesus. This is the mind of Jesus.

In response to that, and through His power, imitate Him.

How can you imitate Jesus in your everyday life? 🤔

Scripture says this “mind” of Christ Jesus is yours. You have access to it today.

1. Read Philippians Chapter 2 this week to meditate on Jesus' humility.
2. Look for opportunities in your everyday life to serve someone as an act of love for that person & an act of worship to Jesus.

A few ideas to spark your imagination:

• Let a stranger go in front of you when you’re in traffic
• Take on household chores for the day to give your spouse or roommate some rest
• If you’re in conflict with someone in your family or community, seek forgiveness and reconciliation

Put on the mind of Christ, for the glory of God this week,

The Malachi Daily Team 🙏